Our Outdoor Journal
A Record of Discovery from Our Walks Together
by GrandShaw & the Carlin Girls
Some of the living things we have discovered during our walks in and around Vista,
California. We'll continue to update this journal as we make new discoveries—not only
of plants and animals, but also of interesting rocks, fossils, insects, birds, history,
geology, weather, and whatever else catches our curiosity along the trail. After all,
every walk has the potential to become an adventure.
Mammals
• Coyote (Canis latrans) – Native to California. First identified by Clementine, who
recognized it immediately after Grandshaw first mistook it for a loose dog.
• Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) – Common native rabbit of southern
California, observed at Rancho Guajome Adobe.
Birds
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
Observed along Anza Avenue, Vista, California. A noisy group of crows was calling loudly. We suspected they might be mobbing a hawk or owl, although we neither saw nor heard another species.
Date: July 27, 2026
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
Seen at Alta Vista Botanical Garden, Vista, California.
Date: July 27, 2026
Amphibians
Tadpoles (species undetermined)
Observed in the small creek that flows beside the Wiivay Nature Trail at Alta Vista Botanical Garden. At this stage they could not be identified to species.
Reptiles
• Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) – The familiar 'blue-belly' of
California.
• Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) – Native to the southeastern United
States but now established around the world through the pet trade.
Fish
• Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) – Introduced into California for mosquito
control.
Insects
• Western Honeybee (Apis mellifera) – Discovered by Clementine in a thriving feral
colony nesting inside a hollow palm stump.
• Blister Beetle (Family Meloidae) – Species uncertain. Large black beetle found at
Rancho Guajome Adobe.
• South American Palm Weevil (Rhynchophorus palmarum) (evidence) – Numerous
dead Canary Island Date Palms throughout Vista are consistent with infestation by this
invasive species.
Trees & Shrubs
• Blue Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia)
• Bottlebrush (Melaleuca viminalis)
• Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia or hybrid)
• Indian Laurel Fig (Ficus microcarpa)
• Hong Kong Orchid Tree (Bauhinia Å~ blakeana)
• Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis)
Wildflowers & Other Plants
• Sacred Datura (Datura wrightii) – also known as Jimsonweed or Sacred Thornapple.
• Pink Evening Primrose (Oenothera speciosa) – Pointed out by Clementine.
• Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)
• Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, probably) – Educational planting at Alta Vista Botanical
Garden.
History & Human Discoveries
• Wiivay Trail Bedrock Mortars – Explored by Grandshaw, Clementine, and Ruth on July
22. Granite mortars worn smooth by generations of Luise.o people grinding acorns and
seeds.
• Rancho Guajome Adobe – Built in 1852, one of California's finest surviving
Mexican-era adobe ranch houses, preserving the history of the Luise.o people and
early California ranch life.
Favorite Discoveries
• Honeybee colony hidden inside a palm stump—first spotted by Clementine.
• Coyote quietly sharing the trail—correctly identified by Clementine.
• Western Fence Lizard basking among tree roots.
• Macadamia nuts beneath a mature tree.
• Learning that the 'fruit' of an Indian Laurel Fig is actually a syconium.
• Ancient Luise.o bedrock mortars on the Wiivay Trail and at Rancho Guajome Adobe.
Questions We Still Have
• What species of blister beetle did we find?
• What birds will we add to our journal?
• What other stories of geology and history are waiting along the trail?
